The best ways to enjoy Rome in your 50s and beyond

Collaborative Post | Travelling in later life can be so rewarding, for so many reasons. It’s important that no matter how old you are, you always make the effort to continue learning and experiencing new things, as this is what makes life exciting. It allows you to keep on developing. So, never put off travelling because you think you’re “too old”. There’s no such thing! Travel is one of the most enjoyable things you can experience in life, whether you’re 18 or 78.

Plan ahead

Having a solid plan in place means that you know what you’re doing, when, and how. This means you're able to tick off everything you want to do and see. So, when you visit St Peter’s Basilica (find St Peter's Basilica dome tickets here - if you’re feeling adventurous you can even climb the dome!), you can then go to a recommended restaurant or activity nearby straight after, when you’ve put the right amount of research in. This can also be really important in the busier tourist months, as the most popular places can get booked up in advance. By putting together a comprehensive plan, including walk or public transport estimations from place to place, you’ll be able to maximize your time in Rome.

St Peter's Basilica, Rome Photo by Robert Linder on Unsplash

Take a tour

One of the best ways to see Rome when you’re over 50 is to join a tour. This is a fantastic way to meet fellow travelers, so can also be a really good option for those going solo. If you take a tour, the stress of planning and figuring out travel should be greatly lessened as it’s all sorted for you. Having a tour guide is also extremely handy, as they should have plenty of pearls of wisdom, historic facts and local advice to share. There are plenty of tour options out there, but if you just want a day trip to a city or landmark outside of Rome, then this is also an easily accessible choice. 

Discounts

Plenty of attractions in Rome will offer concession discounts to people over a certain age, so this is something to keep in mind when booking. It’s always worth asking if there is a discount for older people, so don’t forget to investigate, even if it’s not clearly advertised! 

Safety and comfort

Rome can be hard work at the best of times, just in terms of how strenuous all the walking can get along with the heat in the warmer months. So, always be sure to have comfortable shoes and maybe try to get as much walking in as possible in the lead-up to your trip, to try to build up some stamina if it’s not something you don’t usually do regularly. In the warmer summer months, be sure to take light layers with you to protect your skin without overheating. Sun protection is a must too - SPF, shaded hats, and UV protective sunglasses. Rome is also notorious for pickpockets so always be aware and be smart with your belongings. 

Enjoy your trip!


​Disclaimer: This is a collaborative post